Basket



(No Model.)

M. H. TILGHMAN.

BASKET.

No. 440,446. Patented Nov. 11, 1890.

IIVVE'VTO? JZJL 2250717110570.

ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MERRILL II. TILGIIMAN, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

BASKET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 440,446, dated November 11, 1890.

Application filed August 29, 1890. Serial No.363,45l. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MERRILL H. TILGHMAN, of Norfolk, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Baskets, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in truckbaskets, in which generic term I would include all similar packages, and seeks to provide a simple novel construction by which to strengthen and brace the package; and the invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the basket, showing one pair of brace-strips at the point of crossing. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the basket at about right angles to the elevation shown in Fig. 1, showing the lapped or crossed ends of the braces of both pairs; and Fig. 3 is a cross-section on about line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Except in the construction and arrangement of the braces, the basket or package may be of ordinary construction, preferably having its body or main portion provided with the bottom A, staves B, top hoop C, and bottom hoop D, the staves B being preferably slightly separated, as shown and as is usual in fruit baskets and the like.

The basket is made in the circular crosssectional shape most clearly shown in Fig. The braces E are arranged in pairs, usually two pairs, as shown. The brace-strips e of each pair run spirally or diagonally in oppo site directions and are crossed at their middles, and are preferably nailed at such point together and to the stave over which they are crossed. Ialso nail these brace-strips to each stave they cross, so that they serve to tie the staves firmly together, and are also held throughout their lengths rigidly to the stares. Now, as each bracing-strip 6 extends from top to bottom of the basket and is crossed and secured in the manner described, I secure an efficient and at the same time simple form of bracing construction, which serves to give great rigidity and strength to the basket or package. By preference I arrange the braces or stays e in such manner that the ends of the braces e of one pair are lapped orcrossed at E upon the adjacent ends of the braces of the next pair, and secured as shown most clearly in Fig. 2. By preference all the braces are arranged at their ends to bear against the top or bottom hoops O D, the lower ends of the braces bearing against the upper sides of the bottom hoop D and their upper ends against the lower side of the top hoop C, as shown. It will be seen, therefore, that I provide the braces in pairs, each pair having its strips or braces arranged diagonally and in opposite directions and to cross each other, as shown, and the braces or strips of each pair being arranged to cross the braces or strips of the next pair near their ends, so that the braces of each pair are securely connected and the braces of the several pairs are also connected, thus bracing the basket or package crosswise, vertically, and diagonally, and rendering the said basket or package strong and rigid in practically all directions.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new is-- 1. An improved basket or package, substantially as described, comprising the body of the basket, made approximately circular in cross-section and provided with braces arranged in pairs, the braces of each pair being arranged diagonally in opposite directions to cross each other at their middles, and being secured, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The improved basket herein described, comprising the body of the basket and the braces arranged in pairs, the braces of each pair being arranged to cross each other at their middles and the braces of the adjacent pairs being arranged to cross each other at a point near their ends, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

The improved basket herein described, comprising the body of the basket, having upper and lower hoops and provided with diagonal braces arranged to abut or bear at their opposite ends against the said upper and lower hoops, the said braces being arranged in pairs,

the braces of each pair being arranged to signed by me in the presence of two subscribcross each other at their middles, and the ing Witnesses. braces of one pair bein 'arran 'ed to cross the 1 7 braces of the next pair at a paintnear their MERRILL FILGHMAN' 5 ends, all substantially as and for the purposes Witnesses:

set forth. P. B. TURPIN,

The above specification of my invention I SOLON O. KEMON. 

